The 2009 Chardonnay Rosella’s shows attractive varietal fruit and an open, radiant personality. Thirty percent new oak gives the wine lovely depth and polish, while avoiding excess heaviness and/or oakiness. The Chardonnay saw full malo. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2014. August West is a partnership between Gary Franscioni, Ed Kurtzman and Howard Graham. The wines are delicate, see relatively low levels of new oak and are bottled without fining or filtration. Most of the wines are made from Franscioni’s Rosella’s Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands but I have included notes on the Russian River bottlings for ease of reference.Tel. (415) 225-2891; www.augustwestwine.com